Streaming content between media players configured to locate each other

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for either generating or maintaining an organic data network having an dynamic topology, comprising
         a data processing unit,   at least one data connection to a data network to which several devices provided with a data processing unit are connected by means of a data connection, and   software having
           a receiving routine for receiving data packages of at least one transmitting device in the data network,   a transmission routine for transmitting data packages, received from the transmitting device or devices in the data network to at least one receiving device that is connected to the data network, independent of the transmitting device or devices.   
               

     Additionally the invention relates to a method and software for data packages received from a transmitting device to at least one receiving device, independent of said transmitting device. 
     A device according to the invention can be used in for instance mobile phones, streaming internet applications and cable television.

The present application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/287,753, filed on Nov. 28, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,349,983, which is a divisional of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/967,600, filed on Sep. 28, 2001, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,065,548.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for either generating or maintainingan organic network having a dynamic topology, a method for it and acarrier provided with software for it.

It is known for instance from U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,178, to duplicate aserver in an internet environment to relieve the main server. In thosecases however the entire server software and complete files of theserver are duplicated. This first of all is too large a burden for theduplicate. Additionally not any given computer will be suitable for thatpurpose, let alone any given computer requesting information to theserver (the “client”). Additionally it is not possible to offer a clientan optimal transfer speed of the content in this way by an intelligentchoice of the route or possibly another, closer (regarding the transferspeed) (duplicate) server.

Additionally it is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,783 to provide datapackages with software (Java Applets) with which the content of the datapackages or other data can be processed on the receiving computer. Inthis case, however, there is no question of communication, but ofdistributed processing. One large task is divided over several agents,wherein each agent carries out a part of the task and is in contact withthe common server.

Additionally a network (“multicast network”) of nodes is known from U.S.Pat. No. 5,511,167 which nodes, however, are each part of a hierarchicsystem. Each node is centrally controlled here by means of a centralnode.

In Onn Shehory et al., Agent Cloning: an Approach to Agent Mobility andResource Allocation, IEEE Communications Magazine, July 1998, amulti-agent system is described comprising agents which can duplicatethemselves on remote computers when overload of the agent occurs. Theduplicate agent is hierarchically placed below the original agent. Thisrequires an overhead structure. An agent is sent out to perform a task,and reports back to its origin.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,240 a system of agents is described. The agentdevices are managed by an overlaying structure. Thus, the systemrequires an overhead structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to at least partially remove thedrawbacks mentioned explicitly or implicitly.

To that end the invention provides a device for either generating ormaintaining an organic data network having a dynamic topology,comprising

a data processing unit,

at least one data connection to a data network to which several devicesprovided with a data processing unit are connected by means of a dataconnection, and

software having

a receiving routine for receiving data packages of at least onetransmitting device in the data network,

a transmission routine for transmitting data packages, received from thetransmitting device or devices in the data network to at least onereceiving device that is connected to the data network, independent ofthe transmitting device or devices.

By choosing such a device an organic data network can be built up orcreated in which independent devices according to the invention are ableto provide other independent devices according to the invention withdata so that for instance data that are available to a network arequickly accessible to any given device in a network.

Additionally it is possible to build up a data network withouthierarchy, in contrast to the classic networks and the internet. Afterall, when a server fails or gets overloaded very many computers drop outof the network. It is possible therefore, using a device according tothe invention, to build or maintain a network having a very low failuresensitivity.

Additionally it is possible to set up a reliable “streaming” video oraudio broadcast via the internet or another similarly organised network.

For that matter numerous applications of so-called peer-to-peer networksthat may or may not have client/server technology are known.

However, an organic network having a dynamic topology wherein datatransfer between server and client takes place like in the deviceaccording to the invention, is not described in them. In conformity withthe device according to the invention, it is namely possible that thesame peer at one moment acts as server having a second peer as clientand at another moment acts as client of the second peer now acting asserver, without a control being at the basis thereof. The two devicescharge role on their own initiative.

Content as meant in the present invention relates to the data such asmusic in digital form, converted images in digital form, data baseinformation, simple ascii data, but all other possible data as well.This is the information that has to be distributed to as many devices aspossible when the request such. For instance in internet terms,streaming video or streaming audio can be thought of. In this case thequality of a data connection is particularly important. Content namelyis generally divided into smaller data packages, that are subsequentlytransmitted. In case of a streaming audio or video application thesequential order of several data packages is of importance because enroute delaying during the transmission of a data package results in anirregular broadcast.

A data processing unit according to the invention first of all relatesto a digital data processing unit, or a central processing unit, CPU,having ALU, a calculation unit, such as known from the so-called PC orother similar computers. In a broader sense processors can be thought ofthat may among others be placed in mobile phones and other equipment forthe (electronic) control of internal processes.

A data storage unit as meant according to the invention may be agenerally known computer memory (RAM), but also a hard disk or anotherdynamic data storage medium.

According to the invention a data network does not only mean aphysically cabled network; it may also comprise a series of dataconnections that use electromagnetic waves that propagate through theair or an optical cable. Combinations are also possible. A physicallycabled network may also comprise a data network that uses cabling forconducting current (power voltage). In this text a data network is alsocalled network for short.

In this text by a connection first of all a physical connection ismeant, for instance a cable, optical cable, electricity cable, or anypossible physical connection over which data packages can be transmittedin electromagnetic form. By connection (sometimes called dataconnection) is also meant a wireless connection, such as via infrared orradio waves or otherwise.

Preferably the software is provided with a transmission routine fortransmitting the software together with the data packages independent ofthe transmitting device. In this way a new device can quickly be addedin the network.

In an embodiment, the software is provided with a test routine fortesting connections with other devices in the data network.

Additionally, in the same or another embodiment in a device according tothe invention the software is provided with a transmission routine fortransmitting data packages to receiving devices in the data networkdevices other than the transmitting and receiving devices in the networkordering to that end.

In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the softwarecomprises a conversion routine for either converting or transforming thedata packages.

In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the software isprovided with an evaluation routine for evaluating the quality of thedata connections.

In the same of another embodiment of the invention, the software isfurther provided with an inventory routine for making an inventory of atleast a number of the other devices in the data network, and trying outthe connection to another device in the data network for transmittingand/or receiving when existing connections are broken off or come belowa threshold value.

In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the device isprovided with a memory for storing a data network address of at leastone other device in the data network.

In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the software isprovided with a decision routine which on the basis of predeterminedcriteria decide to make a new connection to either an additional deviceor another transmitting device.

In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the device isprovided with an environment evaluation routine for asking for addressesof devices that are connected to the transmitting and/or receivingdevices. In this way a device can operate even better autonomously inthe network and change the topology.

Additionally the invention relates to software, suitable for a devicedescribed above. Said software may for instance be placed on a datacarrier such as, by way of example, a CD, DVD, optomagnetic disk tape,but also in an IC such as PROM, EPROM, or directly on a produced IC.

The invention moreover relates to a method for setting up andmaintaining an organic data network, of which the nodes are providedwith a data processing unit and software having

a receiving routine for receiving data packages of at least onetransmitting device in the data network,

a transmission routine for transmitting data packages, received from thetransmitting device or devices in the data network to at least onereceiving device that is connected to the data network, independent ofthe transmitting device or devices,

wherein the software either receives content, split up in data packages,from one or more transmitting devices, or retrieves content from thedevice itself and either delivers or passes on the content, which may ormay not be in the form of data packages, to one or more receivingdevices, independent of the transmitting devices.

In this way an organic network as described can be set up andmaintained.

In the same or another embodiment of the method according to theinvention, the method according to the invention that the software, whenthe quality of a connection with the transmitting device deteriorates orappears to be insufficient, asks for addresses of other devices from thetransmitting and receiving devices connected to the device, contacts atleast one of said other devices, tests the quality of the connection toone or more other devices, and subject to satisfactory performance ofone or more of those connections effects a connection to suitable otherdevices and adds it to the device as transmitting devices, and repeatsthe asking until the total receipt of data packages complies with apredetermined criterion.

In the same or another embodiment of the method according to theinvention, the method according to the invention the software breaks offa connection to a transmitting device when the quality is lower than apredetermined criterion.

Additionally the invention particularly relates to mobile communicationequipment, a media player, communication equipment, or trafficinformation system comprising a device according to the invention.Conventional telephone as well may be provided with such a deviceaccording to the invention. Furthermore, satellite communication, andespecially inter-satellite communication, may also comprise a device,method or software according to the present invention.

In this case by mobile communication equipment are among others meantmobile phones, walkie-talkies, satellite telephones, pocket computers,PDAs, game computers, that may or may not be portable and wherein a gamecan be played wireless with a game computer, and the like.

By a media player is meant a television, radio or playback equipment forprerecorded music or films, but also personal computers that aresuitable to that end.

By a traffic information system is for instance meant a route navigationsystem for cars, that may or may not be provided with GPS, trains,planes, boats, but also systems that provide vehicles with information,such as car radios and any other possible system, among others radar.

The invention additionally relates to software for either generating ormaintaining an organic data network having a dynamic topology,comprising a receiving routine for receiving data packages of varioustransmitters, a transmission routine for transmitting data packages tovarious receivers, a management routine for keeping up the data packagesreceived, data packages transmitted, addresses of transmitters andreceivers of data packages, an evaluation routine for evaluating thequantity, time intervals and quality of the incoming flow of datapackages, a search routine for searching new potential transmitters viatransmitters and receivers, a test routine for testing the quality ofdata connections to new potential transmitters, and a decision routinefor deciding to set up connections to new transmitters and closing downconnections to transmitters.

A possible device according to the invention is a consumer node thatwill be discussed below. The device according to the invention is notlimited to that however.

In an organic data network that can be built up and maintained by meansof a device according to the invention, various types of nodes can bedistinguished. Not all these types of nodes are essential to theactivity of the data network. Preferably a node is adapted such that thenode can change type by means of the software, or may even be severaltypes at the same time. The latter being preferred in view of achievinga maximum flexibility of the organic network.

The first node is a node transmitting content to other nodes when theyrequest such. Such a node is further called production node.

Additionally a number of portal nodes may be defined. These are nodesthat keep up a list of nodes in the network and are able to insert anode to be newly inserted into the data network. Said nodes are not ofessential importance to an organic network according to the invention.

Central in the network are the consumer nodes. Said nodes are providedwith software to receive content and to deliver it to other nodesrequesting such independent of the source. Additionally the software maybe provided with routines to test the quality of a data connection andto keep up to date with the location of a number of other nodes in thenetwork. The consumer nodes may preferably generate content themselvesas well, and in that way obtain either a part, or the entirefunctionality of the production nodes.

Finally so-called router nodes may be present. Such nodes do nothingelse but receiving and sending on content to other nodes in the networkby order of production nodes or consumer nodes.

As already discussed before, a node ensures the availability of contentfor anyone (client) requesting said content. An organic network mayexpand or start in the following manner. When a first client requests (apart of) the content from a production node, the production node willdeliver the content, but at the same time send along the software as aresult of which the first client changes into a first consumer node.When a second client now contacts the production node, the productionnode will, when the second client is not yet provided with software toact like a device according to the invention, send the necessarysoftware, or refer the new client to an existing consumer node to thatend, for instance the first consumer node. The second client then alsobecomes second consumer node and will if necessary search for a betterconnection. When the connection to the first consumer node is fasterthan the connection to the production node, the second consumer nodecan, if so desired, (entirely or partially) connect to the firstconsumer node, and the software according to the invention is also sentalong as well, as a result of which said client changes into a secondconsumer node. Said second consumer node may get its content from eitherthe production node, or from the first consumer node, whichever dataconnection it judges as being the better one. Special however is thatthe consumer node is able to act entirely autonomous and independent ofthe production node. Better yet, if so desired the consumer node is ableto adapt the content, add content itself (for instance subtitling in acertain language in a streaming video content) or generate its owncontent, such as local advertising messages, or local news. As a resulta consumer node simultaneously is a production node.

A new consumer node will generally be added to the network by initialcontact with a production node or a portal node. Said nodes will enablethe newcomer to connect to one, or preferably more existing consumernode or nodes (at a time). A new node might at its own initiative,entirely autonomously, go look for an even better connection. Thisprocess may be supported because the new node may get information fromthe nodes to which it is connected about nodes that they in turn areconnected to. Said neighbour information may be used to improve the ownconnection or to have spare connections available in case of failures.Preferably there generally is no question of central control here, sothat flexibility and failure sensitivity are reduced.

The nodes, if so desired, may itself, instead of or in addition to justpassing on the content at request, add content or change content. Forinstance local subtitling, advertising messages, conversion of fileformats, adding securities, etc. The node then in fact simultaneouslybecomes a production node. A production node or consumer node may alsoadd authenticity securities so that the receiving nodes know whether thecontent is reliable. The source of the content can do that as well, andeach transmitting node can for instance check whether the content itdelivers is indeed reliable. In this way a network is created having ahigh degree of reliability with regard to the authenticity of thecontent.

With a growing number of consumer nodes a data network is created. Assaid consumer nodes can deal with a request for content themselves, andmay be are able to make a selection of an optimal connection (in thesense or reliability and/or transmission speed), and the node may beprovided with further functionalities, the consumer node may also becalled an intelligent node. The resulting data network has thecharacteristics of an organism, of which the various parts (nodes) areable to “live” independently. During data transfer, particularly duringdata transfer wherein the sequential order is of importance, such as forinstance streaming audio and streaming video in internet applications,an optimal data connection is of great importance. Additionally thecapacity of a server that provides content usually is only capable ofserving a limited number of clients, while the organic network of theinvention, in contrast, has a nearly unlimited capacity which grows withthe number of users.

In the device according to the invention each consumer node with acertain overcapacity will be able to contribute to the increase of thetotal distribution capacity of the network when added to this network.The larger the network becomes, i.e. the more nodes, the more capacitywill be available and the quicker the network potentially may become,without expansion of the capacity of the server, by using the deviceaccording to the invention. The device according to the invention usesthe intrinsic overcapacity present in a network, for instance becausemost computers have a full-duplex data connection and only transmit orreceive at certain moments. A production or consumer node having alimited transmission capacity can still transmit relatively much contentover a network of many consumer nodes using its unused capacity. Theunused receive or transmit capacity can be used by other nodes to obtaincontent or transmit it to other nodes. It may even be so that as thetransmission capacity of the production node becomes smaller (to acertain extent: at least one receiver should of course be able to getsufficient content in), as a result of the mutual cooperation of theconsumer nodes, the speed of the flow through the network will increase.

As already discussed a number of portal nodes may be defined thatcontain a list of the various consumer nodes that are operational andmaybe various production nodes. A new client may instead of contacting aproduction node, contact a portal node, which from the list of consumernodes selects the one who (as to data transfer speed) is the closest.Possibly the portal node may also (start with) transmitting software toinstall the new client as consumer node. The new client willsubsequently connect to an existing consumer node and changes into a newconsumer node.

In the process or data network described above, several types of nodeshave been mentioned. Most of these nodes may also be defined by one basenode.

One base node can be distinguished that has all functionalities, but ofwhich several parts can be switched on or off depending on the functionsof the node in the organic network according to the invention.

For instance every node has an input manager and an output manager,buffers, router logics, a local production connection manager, and alocal consumer connection manager.

Below some examples are described wherein an organic network accordingto the invention can be deployed. Said examples are not limiting, butelucidate the invention. The expert will, on the basis of said examples,be able to think of many other embodiments that fall under the scope ofprotection of the claims.

Streaming Internet Applications

Streaming video and streaming audio are known internet applications inwhich data packages with contents are transmitted from a server orstation to clients or consumers. The special thing about these datapackages is that the time sequence of the various packages is ofimportance: a radio broadcast, for instance, has a fixed time line.Additionally the continuity of the data flow is of importance, asotherwise the broadcast will falter. The general principles of suchstreaming internet application are known to the expert.

A streaming video or audio broadcast via the internet or another datanetwork may be implemented by means of the organic data network in thefollowing manner by means of a device according to the invention.

First of all a so-called production node is installed. A production nodeis a device according to the invention the purpose of which is to makethe content, either generated or present in the device itself, availableto one or more other devices. Said content may be a streaming audio orvideo broadcast.

As soon as a computer, for instance through the internet, contacts theproduction node, the production node will start transmitting content,accompanied by software, for instance in the form of a “Java applet” or“Java bean”, but also in the form of a so-called Windows “Cabinet file”.The software subsequently installs itself on the computer and adjuststhe computer as a so-called consumer node. As already discussed such aconsumer node is capable of receiving content from a device, in thiscase a production node, and to deliver said content to another devicewhen it requests such.

When for instance a second device presents itself to a production nodewith the question to also get content, the production node will transmitthe software, when needed, to said second device or, when for instanceall outgoing connection are occupied, inform the second device of theexistence of the consumer node installed earlier on.

Either the production node sends software directly, or through theconsumer node to make the second device act as consumer node to thesecond device, and the second device is installed as second consumernode. The second consumer node will test whether the connection to theproduction node or to the first consumer node is the best, andsubsequently decide whether the content will have to come from eitherthe production node, or via the first consumer node or from both. Thefirst consumer node is able to deliver the content to the secondconsumer node entirely independent of the production node.

Should the second consumer node get a better connection to theproduction node, said direct contact will lead to the first consumernode deciding to get the content via the second consumer node. From thisdynamic topology appears that may be obtained: the node reverse theirrolls.

The invention is further elucidated on the basis of several figuresshowing various aspects of the invention. It should be clear that saidfigures serve to elucidate the invention, and should not be seen as alimitation of the invention to the embodiments shown in them.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a base node discussed earlier.

FIGS. 2A-2Q show various consecutive stages in the initiating andmaintaining of an organic network according to the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3L show devices according to the invention applied in mobiletelephony.

FIGS. 4A-4E show devices according to the invention applied in a trafficinformation system.

FIGS. 5A-5E show devices according to the invention applied in cablenetworks for television.

FIGS. 6A-6J show the transmission of content in several data packages bya network provided with nodes having devices according to the invention.

FIGS. 7-15 show the data streams according to the present invention in aspecific embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 7-11 it is shown whathappens on the side of a production node, in FIGS. 12-15 it is shownwhat happens on the side of the consumer node.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 show a base node 1.0 discussed earlier, that is provided with allfunctionality that make it possible to let the base node function asproduction node, consumer node, router node or portal node. By switchingon or switching off the various functionalities the base node mayfunction as one of the nodes mentioned, or even as a combination thereofor in several capacities acting alongside each other.

The base node is provided with an input manager 1.1 and an output manger1.4. These are routines in the software that regulate the incoming andoutgoing content. Additionally the base node is provided with so-calledrouter logics 1.5 to send on the contents received.

Additionally the base node is provided with one or more buffers 1.6 tostore data for possibly sending it on further.

finally the base node is provided with a local production manager 1.2 tomake the content ready for transmission, and a local consumer manager1.3 to make the incoming content ready for processing and possibleplay-back (in case of streaming audio or video).

The FIGS. 2A-2Q show several stages of initiating an organic network.The thick lines are connections between nodes. The stripe broken line isa message to a node, the dotted line is the information regarding thenodes connected to the presenting node, a thin line is contacting andtesting the quality of a connection.

FIG. 2A shows an organic network having a production node 1. Theproduction node delivers content, for instance a streaming audiobroadcast via the internet to two consumer nodes 2 and 2′. The contentin that case is divided into data packages which are transmitted via theinternet. To each of both consumer nodes consumer node 3 and 3′ arerespectively connected. To 3′ a next consumer node 4 is connected. Twoportal nodes 0 and 0′ are also shown.

The consumer nodes 2 and 2′ deliver content that they receive from theproduction node through to the consumer nodes 3 and 3′, consumer node 3in its turn delivers through to 4. As a result only two consumer nodesare directly connected to the production node.

From a certain situation as shown in FIG. 2A a possible development ofthe organic network will now be followed in the FIGS. 2B-2Q.

In FIG. 2B production node 1 sends a message to consumer node 2 in whichthe existence of consumer node 2′ is mentioned.

In FIG. 2C it can be seen that consumer node 2 is testing the connectionto consumer node 2′. Apparently consumer node 2′ has capacity to spareand a quicker connection to the production node. For instance, in caseof an internet application, consumer node 2 may be connected via ananalogous modem having a baud rate of 56 k6, while consumer node 2′ isconnected by means of for instance a cable modem, and the actualconnection between the production node and consumer node 2 is 28 k8 at amaximum. This whereas consumer node 2 can handle 56K6: consumer node 2′receives the content at high speed, higher than 56 k6, from theproduction node and starts to send the content to consumer node 2,independent of the production node, at a speed of 28 k8. Consumer node 2now obtains the content at a speed on 56 k6 instead of 28 k8 (forinstance). This situation is shown in FIG. 2D. In FIG. 2D the productionnode also remains transmitting content to consumer node 2. Node 3 alsoobtains information delivered from node 2 about the nodes connected tosaid node.

In FIG. 2E consumer node 3 is testing, for instance because itsconnections are not optimal, the connection to various nodes in thenetwork of which it now (directly or indirectly) knows of its existence.This testing may for instance take place because the connection toconsumer node 2 gets worse and worse. On this case consumer node 3 teststhe connection to production node 1 and consumer node 2′. It appearsthat consumer node 2′ still has capacity to spare. Consumer node 2′ nowalso starts to send content to consumer node 3 (FIG. 2F).

In FIG. 2G it can be seen how a new consumer node 5 is realised via aportal node 0. In consumer node to-be contacts portal node 0. Should itbe the case that said node is not a consumer node yet, and has yet toreceive software to be installed as such, the node (to-be) can obtainsaid software from the portal node 0. As of the moment the software hasbeen installed, the node is a consumer node as well (and in fact it canthen also start to operate as production node if it wants to).

In the figure the portal node selects a consumer node from the list itkeeps up to date, in this case consumer node 4, that may or may not beadded last. Should a node newly to be added not be a consumer node yet,then it will obtain the necessary software (in this case) from theportal node, as well as the information about the presence of consumernode 4 (FIG. 2H). Consumer node 5 in its turn tests the connection toconsumer node 4 (FIG. 2I) and contacts consumer node 4 (FIG. 2J).

In FIG. 2K, consumer node 5 obtains information about consumer node 3from consumer node 4 and subsequently tests (FIG. 2L) the connection toconsumer node 3. When it appears that consumer node 3 has transmissioncapacity to spare and consumer node 5 has receiving capacity to spare,consumer node 3 will also send content to consumer node 5 independent ofthe production node or consumer node 2 (FIG. 2M). Consumer node 5 gearswith 4 and 3 what it wants to receive.

In FIG. 2N consumer node 3 tells consumer node 2 about the existence ofnodes 2′, 4 and 5. In FIG. 2O it can then be seen that node 2 is testingthe connection to 5, possibly because its connection deteriorates or theconnection to 5 is better.

In FIG. 2P the connection between consumer node 5 and 2 has been made.

In FIG. 2Q it appears that the connection between 2 and 5 and 5 and 3 isso good that 3 now obtains its data packages via 5 instead of 2. Theconnection between 3 and 2 is broken off.

In FIGS. 3A-3L a device according to the invention is implemented in amobile phone network. The white arrows here indicate a short controlsignal, the grey arrows a signal having one conversation, and the blackarrows signals having two conversations.

In FIG. 3A mobile phone 11 wants to make contact. The device accordingto the invention, built in in mobile phone 11, subsequently searcheswhether a mobile phone in the direct vicinity has already contacted asupport transmitter 10. None of the mobile phones in the direct vicinityhas contact with support transmitter 10. The device according to theinvention subsequently makes contact between mobile phone 11 and thesupport transmitter 10 (FIG. 3B). Mobile phone 11 starts a firstconversation with a mobile phone outside the figure.

In FIG. 3C it can be seen how the device according to the invention,also implemented in mobile phone 12, searches in the direct vicinitywhether a mobile phone has contact with the support transmitter 10. InFIG. 3D it can be seen that mobile phone 12 makes contact with mobilephone 11, which now sends on both conversations to the supporttransmitter 10.

In FIG. 3E it can be seen that the conversation of mobile phone 11 hasalready ended, but that said phone still sends on the conversation ofmobile phone 12.

In FIG. 3F is can be seen that mobile phone 12 has also finished itsconversation. Mobile phone 14 wants to call mobile phone 13, but is outof support transmitter 10's reach. Its signal is received by 11, whichis able to make contact with the support transmitter. Mobile phone 11now passes on the signal of 14 to the support transmitter 10, thesupport transmitter 10 sends on the signal to mobile phone 13 (FIG. 3G).

Mobile phone 13 has meanwhile been informed by for instance the supporttransmitter 10 that 11 is relatively close (they after all use the samesupport transmitter). Mobile phone 13 subsequently transmits a(small-range) signal asking mobile phone 11 to make contact with 14,which signal is received by 11 (FIG. 3H), which takes over the functionof the support transmitter 10 and ensures the connection between 13 and14 (FIG. 3I). Encryption ensures the confidential nature of theconnections.

Due to a failure mobile phone 11 breaks down (FIG. 3J). Both 13 and 14send out a call for help. Mobile phone 12 receives both calls and takesover the role of 11 (FIG. 3L).

Because of the autonomy of the device according to the invention it ispossible first of all to make direct contact between mobile phones thatare in each other's vicinity. Additionally it is possible to take careof failures because of the dynamic nature of the topology.

Moreover, by means of the device according to the invention it ispossible with a weak support transmitter (preferably as weak aspossible, as the mobile phones then will go looking for an alternativeroute more quickly) and many mobile phones in each other's vicinity tohave a good connection with a minimum of transmission capacity of thesupport transmitter 10.

In FIG. 4A a traffic situation is shown, in which on one side of theroad 48 and obstacle 40 is present that limits or blocks thecirculation, as a result of which cars 43 and 42 come to a standstill.On the opposite side of the road 47 an approaching car 41 arrives. Amplybefore the blockage 40 there is an exit 49 with an alternative route.The cars are equipped with a device according to the invention.

In FIG. 4B it can be seen how the approaching car 41 obtains informationfrom the stationary car 42 that it stands still. The car 41 drives on,and in FIG. 4C it can be seen how a car 44 on the side of the road 48approaches the obstacle.

In FIG. 4D the car 41 delivers information to requesting car 44,independent of the transmitting car 42.

In FIG. 4E it can be seen that car 44 decides to take an alternativeroute via exit 49.

The device according to the invention, implemented in a car-informationsystem, in this case receives the information from the transmitting car42 and independent of the transmitting car sends it through to car 44.In this way car 41 informs the cars coming up behind independent of thecars that sent the information regarding the obstacle, in this examplecar 42.

Another example of the application of the device according to theinvention is in television. In FIG. 5A a situation is shown wherein anumber of television sets 54, 55, 57, 58, 59 are connected by means of acable network 61 to transmission/broadcasting station 50. Television 56is connected to its own dish antenna 51. Apart from that the televisionsare connected to an electricity grid 60, and provided with means fortransmitting and receiving data packages via the electricity grid.

Television 53, that is not connected via a cable network to the othertelevisions, but indeed via the electricity grid 60, also has its ownsatellite connection. Televisions 56 and 53 transmit the signals of thedish antennas 51 and 52 to the other televisions via a device accordingto the invention. The white circles are content coming from satellites51 and 52 which is passed on to the other television sets by televisionsets 53 and 56 via the electricity grid. The grey circles are contentthat are delivered to television sets 54, 55, 57, 58 and 59 bytransmitter 50 via the cable 61.

In FIG. 5B it can be seen how a failure arises in the connection betweentelevision 56 and 55. Televisions 54 and 55 send out an emergency signal(grey square) via the electricity grid, that is received by a deviceaccording to the invention in a television set that still gets a signal.Said television set (in fact the device according to the invention), inFIG. 5C television set 57, 58 and 59 receive the emergency signal. Saidtelevision sets send a signal to 54 and 55 via the electricity grid thatthey are able to deliver, and at the request of television sets 54 and55 they start to deliver via the electricity grid (pale grey circles,FIG. 5D). In FIG. 5E it can be seen that the television sets 54 and 55actually obtain the cable signal. The pale grey circles reach sets 54and 55.

This example can of course also relate to personal computers, gamecomputers, or even domestic appliances that are connected via a networkor wireless, possibly via for instance the blue tooth protocol. Via analternative channel, but that alternative may also be overcapacity on acertain cabling, errors can be put right or for instance inertia of datatransport can be solved.

FIGS. 6A-6K show the transmission of content in data packages from onepoint over a network such that those data are available to everybody.That may for instance be streaming video or audio.

Production node 120 has content “12345678” at its disposal, and sends itto two consumer nodes 122 and 123 who request such. The flow via 123goes much quicker than via 122. In FIG. 6B it can be seen that the firstdata package “1” has already been received by 123, whereas 122 still hasnothing. Meanwhile 122 and 123 receive requests from 124, 126 and 127,125, respectively. The data packages to 123 go so quickly that 123 hasmeanwhile received two packages already, and the connection of 123 to127 is so good that 127 as well has already received one data package.It is therefore able to grant a request from consumer node 129 and tostart sending on (FIG. 6C).

In FIG. 6D the consumer node 123 has meanwhile received three datapackages already, and because the connection of 123 and 127 is so fast,127 as well has already received two data packages. Node 125 hasmeanwhile been informed of the existence of 127 via 123 and has testedthe data connection to 127. Because also this data connection appearedto be good, considerably faster than the data connection to 123, thenode 125 has decided to request 127 to deliver the data packages.Additionally 131 has also put in a request for delivery of content andis connected to consumer node 129.

As the connection via node 122 of consumer node 126 appeared to be slow,consumer node 126 goes looking for a better connection and finally endsup at consumer node 129. At the request of consumer node 126, consumernode 129 now also starts delivering data packages to 126. In this casethe dynamic topology already seems to occur and the result of thedynamic topology is apparent. Consumer node 126 then disconnects theconnection to consumer node 122. Meanwhile nodes 128 and 130 as well areadded to the network as consumer nodes. This situation is shown in FIG.6E.

Consumer node 124 as well, due to the slow connection of consumer node122 to the production node 120, goes looking for a better connection,and ends up at consumer node 126. At the request of consumer node 124,consumer node 126 now also starts delivering data packages to consumernode 124. This situation is shown in FIG. 6F. Meanwhile consumer nodes128 and 130 still receive data package “1” that comes from the chain120-122-124.

In FIG. 6G it can be seen that the delivery of data packages from thelower chain 123-127-129 goes much quicker than the delivery fromproduction node 120 to consumer node 122. Additionally it can also beseen that the connection of consumer nodes 128 and 130 to consumer node124 is not optimal: consumer nodes 128 and 130 have received 2 datapackages, whereas consumer node 131 has already received 4 datapackages. Consumer nodes 128 and 130 are going to look for a betterconnection, and 128 chooses to use the overcapacity of consumer node131. This is shown in FIG. 6H. It can also be seen that consumer node123 has now received all content and the connection to the productionnode is no longer used.

In FIG. 6I it can be seen that only consumer nodes 128, 130 and 122 havenot yet received all content. In FIG. 6J all consumer nodes except 122have received all content.

In this example it apparently was not possible for consumer node 122 tofind a better connection to another node. When, however, it would haveappeared for instance that the connection via consumer node 124 wasbetter than the direct connection to the production node, the situationcould have arisen that the consumer node 122 decided to request whetherconsumer node 124 could deliver data packages, as a result of which infact the part of consumer node had been reversed from receiving consumernode to delivering consumer node. Preferably the consumer nodes are setup in such a way that they only go looking for a new or additionalconnection when an existing connection is not satisfactory (any more).

FIGS. 7-15 show a specific embodiment of a production node according tothe present invention, and specifically show the data streams throughsuch a production node (FIGS. 7-11) and through a consumer node (FIGS.12-15). The data streams which are transmitted may be mp3 streams. Thestreams in this embodiment are transmitted over the internet. In thisdescription of the drawings, reference will be made to mp3 streams.However, it must be clear that any data stream may be transmitted usingthis production node. The different building block of the productionnode and the consumer node, e.g. buffer, Router Logic, etcetera aresoftware objects which may be programmed in any suitable general purposeprogramming language, like C++, Java, or any task-specific language.These objects are known to a man skilled in the art.

FIG. 7 shows the processing of opening a media stream by a ProductionNode (PN). A Stream Target (media player) requests a media streamthrough portal with: http://localhost:123/192.1.0.10/stream.mp3

The following steps are performed:

Step 1: Consumer Manager (CM) receives and recognizes a request

Step 2: CM asks Router Logic (RL) for action

Step 3: RL asks portal (192.1.0.10) for IP address Stream Source (SS)

Step 4: Portal returns IP address SS: 24.25.26.27

Step 5: RL asks Production Manager (PM) to call SS

Step 6: PM request SS with: http://24.25.26.27/stream.mp3

Step 7: SS returns media stream and http header

Step 8a: PM parses data and sends media stream to Buffer

Step 8b: PM returns http header to RL

Step 9: RL returns http header to CM

Step 10: CM returns http header to Stream Target

In FIG. 8, the Production Node (PN) starts receiving the media stream.When http header has been passed to the Stream Target (step 10 in FIG.7, the Consumer Manager (CM) starts a data retrieval loop: The ConsumerManager asks data from Buffer and waits for replay. Buffer responsecould either be:

data media stream (CM will ask for more) or

data not ready yet (Cm will wait and try later) or

end of stream (CM will close connection).

The following steps are then performed:

Step 1: consumer Manager (CM) requests Buffer for data media stream

Step 2: Buffer starts sending media stream to CM

Step 3: CM passes stream to Stream Target

In FIG. 9, Production Node (PN) receives an incoming request from theConsumer Node (CN). The incoming request from a Consumer Node isreceived by the Output Manager (OM) of the Production Node. The requestconsists of network information, which is passed to the Router Logic(RL), and a request for a specific part of the media stream (datablocks) which will be handled by the Buffer.

Subsequently, the following steps are performed:

Step 1: Incoming node network request is received by the Output Manager(OM)

Step 2a: OM passes network information to the Router Logic

Step 2b: OM requests Buffer for all blocks, including a preferred firstblock, the Consumer Node is missing.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the response of the Production Node (PN) on anincoming request of the Consumer Node (CN) is shown. The followingsituation may occur:

The requested data blocks are available

The data blocks are not available.

These two possible situations will be further ellucidated.

Blocks Available (FIG. 10)

The requested blocks are available in the Buffer of the Production Node,together with network information this data is returned to therequesting Consumer Node. The following steps are then performed:

Step 1a: network information about PN and the nodes PN is aware off, isreturned to the Output Manager (OM) by the Router Logic (RL)

Step 1b: The requested parts of the media stream (data blocks) arereturned by the buffer to the OM

Step 2: The OM bundles the information and returns this to the CN.

Blocks NOT Available (FIG. 11)

The requested blocks are NOT available in the Buffer of the ProductionNode, together with network information this data is returned to therequesting Consumer Node.

Step 1a: Network information about PN and the nodes PN is aware off, isreturned to the Output Manager (OM) by the Router Logic (RL)

Step 1b: The Buffer returns no data available.

Step 2: The OM returns the network information of the RL to the CN.

FIG. 12 now shows the different process steps which take place on theside of the Consumer Node (CN) when opening a media stream. A StreamTarget (media player) requests a media stream through portal with:http://localhost:123/192.1.0.10/stream.mp3 via the consumer node.

The following steps then take place:

Step 1: Consumer Manager (CM) receives and recognizes a request

Step 2: Cm asks Router Logic (RL) for action

Step 3: RL ask portal (192.1.0.10) for IP address other node (PN or CN)participating in the node network

Step 4: Portal returns IP address of other node

Step 5: RL asks Input Manager (IM) to connect other node

Step 6: IM requests other node for connection

Step 7: Other node returns media stream and http header

Step 8a: IM parses data and sends media stream to Buffer

Step 8b: IM returns http header to RL

Step 9: RL returns http header to CM

Step 10: CM returns http header to Stream Target

In FIG. 13 is shown what happens when the Consumer Node (CN) startsreceiving a media stream. When the http header has been passed to theStream Target, the Consumer Manager (CM) starts a data retrieval loop:asks data from Buffer and waits for reply. Buffer response could eitherbe:

data media stream (CM will ask for more) or

data not ready yet (CM will wait and try later) or

end of stream (CM will close connection).

The following steps are thus performed:

Step 1: Consumer Manager (CM) requests Buffer for data media stream

Step 2a: Buffer starts sending media stream to CM

Step 2b: Router Logic (RL) registers CN as active node at Portal andconfirms its connection with other node

Step 3: CM passes stream to Stream Target

In FIG. 14 is shown what happens when the Consumer Node (CN) fails toconnect after receiving media stream from another Node. For instance,connection from Consumer Node to other node (A.) is lost. Consumer Nodereacts by a request to another node (B.) in the node network. This isdone by performing the following steps:

Step 1: Input Manager (IM) fails to connect to other node (A.)

Step 2: IM asks Router Logic (RL) for another IP address in the nodenetwork

Step 3: Router Logic (RL) returns IP address of another node (B.)

Step 4: IM sends out a connection request to another node (B.)

FIG. 15 shows, by way of summary, the different processing streams in anactive Consumer Node (CN). It shows in what way the different parts ofthe consumer node are interconnected.

The device according to the invention in all examples is autonomouslycapable of retrieving content from a data network, and sending it on toother devices according to the invention without the intervention of thetransmitting side. Additionally each device is capable of testingwhether a better connection is within reach, and entirely independentlychoosing whether to use said connection.

It is to be understood that the above description is included toillustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meantto limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to belimited only by the following claims. From the above discussion, manyvariations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet beencompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A media player system for receiving streaming content from one ormore other media player systems, the media player system comprising: atleast one data processing unit that executes software including: asearch routine for autonomously identifying one or more other mediaplayer systems running said software, the one or more other media playersystems initially unknown to the media player system, a request routinefor requesting content to be streamed from at least one of the one ormore identified other media player systems running said software, areceiving routine for receiving streaming content from the one or moreidentified other media player systems running the software, and aroutine for making the incoming streaming content received as a resultof the receiving routine ready for play-back, wherein the search routineis configured to be executed by the at least one data processing unitwhile the receiving routine is being executed.
 2. The media playersystem according to claim 1, further comprising activating orde-activating selectively all functionality of the search routine. 3.The media player system according to claim 1, further comprising arequest handling routine for handling a request for content from atleast one other media player system running the software and atransmission routine for transmitting streaming content to the at leastone other media player system running the software in reply to therequest for content.
 4. The media player system according to claim 3,further comprising activating or de-activating selectively allfunctionality of the request handling routine.
 5. The media playersystem of claim 1, wherein none of the one or more other media playersystems are central nodes.
 6. The media player system of claim 1,wherein the media player system is part of a mobile phone.
 7. The mediaplayer system of claim 1, wherein the media player system and the othermedia player systems are peer systems.
 8. The media player system ofclaim 1, wherein the request routine requests a specific part of thecontent.
 9. The media player system of claim 1, wherein the searchroutine is executed by directly contacting other media player systemsrunning the software.
 10. The media player system of claim 1, wherein atleast a part of said content consists of one selected from the group ofvideo, film, audio, music, an image, database information, and a mediabroadcast.
 11. A media player system for receiving streaming content ata media player from other media players comprising: a device storing themedia player; software stored on a computer readable storage medium onthe device, the software including: a search routine for autonomouslyidentifying one or more other media players running said software, theone or more other media players initially unknown to the media player; arequest routine for requesting content to be streamed from at least oneof the one or more identified other media players running said software,a receiving routine for receiving streaming content from a media playerrunning said software, and a routine for making incoming streamingcontent received as a result of the receiving routine ready forplay-back, wherein the search routine is configured to be executed bythe device while the receiving routine is being executed.
 12. The mediaplayer system of claim 11, wherein the media player system is furtherconfigured for transmitting streaming content, and the software furtherincludes a transmitting routine for transmitting streaming content toother media players running the software.
 13. The media player system ofclaim 11, wherein the request routine requests a specific part of thecontent.
 14. The media player system of claim 11, wherein the searchroutine is executed by directly contacting other media players runningthe software.
 15. The media player system of claim 11, wherein at leasta part of said content consists of one selected from the group of video,film, audio, music, an image, database information, and a mediabroadcast.
 16. A computer-readable medium having computer executableinstructions for receiving streaming content consisting of data packagesfrom one or more other media players transmitting at least a part of thestreaming content, said computer executable instructions comprisinginstructions for: issuing from the media player a request to the one ormore other media players for the content to be streamed, wherein the oneor more other media players have been identified by the media playersearching autonomously for media players including the computerexecutable instructions, the media players unknown to the media playerprior to issuing the request, receiving, as a result of the request, atleast a part of the streaming content, managing the received streamingcontent, making the received streaming content ready for play-back, andautonomously searching for additional media players while receiving atleast part of the streaming content.
 17. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein issuing from the media player a request for thestreaming content from the one or more other media players furthercomprises using one or more connections, each connection correspondingto a media player of the one or more other media players.
 18. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the executableinstructions further comprise instructions for transmitting streamingcontent to other media players.
 19. The computer readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein the computer executable instructions includeinstructions for the media player to request a specific part of thestreaming content.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 16, whereinthe computer executable instructions include instructions for the mediaplayer to autonomously search for other media players by directlycontacting the other media players.
 21. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein at least a part of said content consists of oneselected from the group of video, film, audio, music, an image, databaseinformation, and a media broadcast.
 22. A method for receiving streamingcontent, comprising: (a) storing media player software on a device,wherein the media player software: (i) searches autonomously to identifyother devices in a network running the media player software; (ii) makesan inventory of other devices found as a result of step (i), running themedia player software; (iii) issues one or more requests for content tobe streamed from the media player software of at least one device ofsaid inventory, by using one or more connections, each connectioncorresponding to at least one device of said inventory; (iv) receivesstreaming content from the media player software of at least one deviceof said inventory in response to step (a)(iii); and (v) makes at leastone part of said streaming content of step (a)(iv), received from saidmedia player software of at least one device of said inventory, readyfor processing and play-back; and (b) searching for other devices insaid network running the media player software, while receiving at leasta part of said streaming content of step (a)(iv), by using the mediaplayer software residing on the device.
 23. The method of claim 22,further comprising activating or de-activating selectively allfunctionality of said searching.
 24. The method of claim 22, whereinsaid one or more requests for content of step (a)(iii) furthermorecomprises a request for one or more specific parts of said content. 25.The method of claim 22, wherein said using one or more connectionsfurther comprises using one or more internet connections or one or moreconnections of another similarly organised network.
 26. The method ofclaim 22, wherein said using one or more connections further comprisesusing one or more wireless connections.
 27. The method of claim 22,wherein said using one or more connections furthermore comprises usingone or more encrypted connections.
 28. The method of claim 22, whereinusing one or more connections further comprises evaluating the qualityand reliability of a connection.
 29. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising outputting of content made ready for play-back.
 30. Themethod of claim 22, wherein at least a part of said content consists ofone selected from the group of video, film, audio, music, an image,database information, and a media broadcast.
 31. The method of claim 22,wherein at least one of the found devices is a media player.
 32. Themethod of claim 22, wherein at least one of the found devices is apocket computer or PDA.
 33. The method of claim 22, wherein at least oneof the found devices is part of mobile communication equipment.
 34. Themethod of claim 22, wherein neither the device nor the other devices arecentral nodes.
 35. The method of claim 22, wherein the device and theother devices are peer devices.
 36. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: (c) issuing one or more requests for content to be streamedto the media player software of at least one found device and receivingthe streaming content from the at least one found device, by using themedia player software on the device; and (d) making at least a part ofthe received streaming content ready for play-back.
 37. The method ofclaim 22, further comprising: (e) transmitting said streaming content ofstep (a)(iv) to other devices running the software.
 38. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the media player software searches autonomously toidentify other devices in said network by directly contacting the otherdevices running the media player software.